Gnats at Suns game one

Luis Cessa was one of the SAL’s best pitchers in 2013, totaling a 1.19 whip on the strength of just 19 walks over 21 starts. He struck out 124 over his 130 IP. His last game action was August 31st when he wrapped up his season with yet another walk-less start (7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 7 K)

Jeurys Familia will join the Gnats on his rehab from an elbow issue earlier this year, otherwise the Gnats roster remains the same as the previous round.

Jake Johansen made just two starts for the Suns after spending most of this season in the NYPL with Auburn. He was the Nationals second round pick in this years draft, from Dallas Baptist U., and showed why with a 1.06 ERA while holding batters to a .147 batting average over 10 starts with Auburn. Over 42.1 IP he allowed 22 hits, 18 walks, and struck out 44. Two of the SAL’s lesser teams managed 13 hits over his 9.1 IP, walking 5 and striking out 7 in his two starts after being promoted.

The match-up includes two of the three lowest team home run totals in the SAL. The Gnats hit 50 homers this year, the Suns 6 more. The Gnats were one of the top pitching teams in the SAL all year with a league best 1.17 whip, league low walks (by 101! over next best) and second lowest ERA with a 3.15 team mark. Hagerstown scored the most runs in the SAL, tied for the best OBP with the second most walks and second best batting average. The Gnats ability to take walks out of the game should be a key in this series, helping to limit the Suns rallies that lead them to almost 700 runs this year.